A 58-year-old man was killed, while three others were injured after a four-vehicle head-on collision in Reedley on Tuesday afternoon, August 22, 2023.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the incident occurred on Goodfellow Avenue, west of Vista Avenue, around 3:30 p.m.
Dinuba resident Anise H., 26, was reportedly not paying attention while driving a Chevy Silverado, causing a tragic chain of events involving a 58-year-old Reedley man in a BMW, a 24-year-old Fowler woman in a Hyundai, and a 49-year-old Reedley resident in a Toyota.
As Anise was about to rear-end the Toyota Camry, she swerved left into oncoming traffic. However, she still struck the Camry in front of her. She then collided head-on with a BMW. The impact caused the SUV to return to the previous lane, where she crashed into yet another vehicle, a Hyundai Accent.
The BMW driver was rushed to Adventist Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The Hyundai driver was brought to Community Regional Medical Center with minor to moderate injuries, while the Toyota driver sustained minor injuries and declined transport to a hospital.
The Silverado suspect suffered minor to moderate injuries and was taken to Kaiser Hospital. CHP spokesperson Mike S. said the suspect will likely be charged with vehicular manslaughter.
No information was released regarding the victim’s identities.
Dedicated Reckless Driving Accident Lawyers in Reedley, Fresno County
The law demands compensation for those who have lost loved ones or suffered serious injuries due to another driver’s negligence. In the event of an accident, you should consult a personal injury lawyer.
Our seasoned legal team will review your case, explain the next steps, and inform you of any factors affecting your settlement during your free consultation.
Our relentless Fresno County reckless-driving accident lawyers at Arash Law, directed by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., have the recognition and vast experience to advocate for accident victims, with awarded compensation totaling more than $750 Million. We’re known as one of California’s biggest personal injury law firms.
Contact us at (888) 488-1391 or complete the “Do I Have a Case?” form on our website to schedule a free consultation with one of our lawyers.
What to Do After a Car Accident
Whether you are the plaintiff in a lawsuit or a family member of a deceased victim, your words and actions at the accident site significantly impact the outcome of your case. If you want your injury claim to be as successful, consider the following suggestions:
- Stay calm and remain at the scene to ensure safety. You should check yourself for injuries before helping others.
- Get to a safe location and wait for the authorities. Pull over any vehicles that cannot move to the side of the road. To prevent further collisions, activate your hazard lights.
- Call 911 to report your collision. Call the police unless the collision was minimal, no one was hurt, and no property was damaged. The police can investigate by speaking with prospective witnesses and gathering evidence.
- Exchange information with all parties involved. Document everything, from your injuries to the weather, road conditions, and the vehicle that hit you.
- Do not admit fault to the police. Give the police officer an honest account of events.
- Seek medical attention. See a specialist or your primary care physician as soon as possible. Receiving immediate medical care can lessen the severity of injuries.
- Report it to your insurance company. Insurance companies in California have different deadlines for reporting accidents.
- Contact insurance adjusters. You can talk to a claims adjuster but only share the necessary information with them. You should consult a lawyer before accepting a settlement offer or providing a recorded statement to an insurance company.
- Create a file. Gather and file all paperwork related to the incident, such as the police report, medical bills, details about the other driver, and plans for treating any injuries, in a case file.
- Seek immediate legal counsel from an experienced California car accident lawyer.
Fatal Reckless Accident Statistics
In the United States, reckless driving leads to numerous car crashes and hundreds of fatalities yearly. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines reckless driving as operating a vehicle without consideration for the safety of others.
Estimating the number of persons hurt or killed annually due to irresponsible driving is likely to be difficult. However, according to AAA, between 2003 and 2007, 56% of all traffic incidents were the result of reckless driving.
Speeding is a major cause of many fatal car accidents in the US. The problem of drunk driving is still quite prevalent across the nation.